Evangeline Marie Pesigan-Tirintas Lounge Chair

At Design Interviews

(Excerpt) Interview with Evangeline Marie Pesigan : Frank Scott: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?. Evangeline Marie Pesigan : The Tirintas lounge chair is part of the Banta collection inspired by cultural influences from the Philippines. The idea brought me back to my origins – starting from the existing crafts, the process of basket weaving, their use of pattern and materials, and the way Filipinos make of their environment. The main principle of the design was to elevate craft traditions by showcasing the unique design sensibility of Filipino artisans and the sustainable local materials through collaboration. The project challenges the misconceptions and role of design in elevating Philippine craftsmanship, which is evidently lost in translation in terms of a national identity. Tirintas is an abstraction of the culture in the Philippines that has a story behind and not necessarily the end result of using local materials or techniques. The piece explores a collaborative making approach that combines modern production methods with traditional craftsmanship, helping artisans nurture their design skills to support social sustainability and driving more local economic development. The design is a modern interpretation of traditional form that is versatile, functional, and distinctly Filipino. .Frank Scott: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?. Evangeline Marie Pesigan : My main focus has been to consolidate and redefine the direction of handmade production in developing countries, like the Philippines. The conceptual aim is to create a dialogue between my vision and design method and the instinctive approach of Filipino artisans by making it accessible and adaptable to a globalized world. The result is a shared experience, experimentation and knowledge exchange of craft techniques transformed into a new cultural meaning. .Frank Scott: What are your future plans for this award winning design?. Evangeline Marie Pesigan : I trained as an Interior and Furniture Designer so I am always challenging the way we create things and how we see them in relation to the world around us. I have so many ideas all the time and work across multiple disciplines. I’ve learned so much working with people from different backgrounds and artisan communities it would be good to continue production of different pieces that expand opportunities for artisans to be flexible, innovative and produce high quality products. I hope this award creates a benchmark for how creativity and collaboration can overcome barriers and enable people to experience and be intrigued by the stories and imagination of artisan craft culture. My goal is to attract big companies to the project as a means to bridge the gap for handmade production, and to explore projects with other cultures and organizations. .Frank Scott: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?. Evangeline Marie Pesigan : As part of a Masters degree, the project started in September 2013 and was finished in April 2015. I travelled between London and the Philippines for months, sharing ideas with my collaborators, using paper models, drawings and mock-ups. The prototypes were developed in the UK while the final design was completed in the Philippines. .Frank Scott: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?. Evangeline Marie Pesigan : For the Tirintas lounge chair, I wanted to explore how designers might collaborate with artisans to create new opportunities for local craft and artisan communities. Also, to investigate how design might elevate crafts ability to express local and universal identities in a sustainable and commercially viable way.
In everything I do, I think about an experience because everyone has a memory of it. But there was a time when I was designing projects with outdated concepts of luxury. I knew where my strengths lay and at the same time I’d realized I wanted to channel it to the ones who need it more than most. I believe design plays a crucial role in raising awareness about social sustainability and in becoming a means to formulate strategies in ethical production, fostering meaningful collaborations that promote progress and innovation while celebrating culture and community. I started reconnecting with my r.[ End of Excerpt: Read complete interview with Evangeline Marie Pesigan on Tirintas Lounge Chair at design-interviews.com ]